JP5743198B2 - Multi-touch multi-user detection device - Google Patents

Description

  In order to enable a plurality of users to input information simultaneously using a plurality of indicators such as pens and fingers, the present invention detects each position where the plurality of indicators approach or contact each other. It relates to a possible multi-touch multi-user detection device.

  An indicator detection device such as a touch panel has been widely used, and various inventions related to the indicator detection device have been made. The inventors of the present application first invented a cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection apparatus that enables detection of a plurality of indication positions (multi-point detection) using a plurality of indicators such as fingers. Already filed by the applicant.

A pointer detection apparatus 1X in FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration example of a cross-point type electrostatic coupling type pointer detection apparatus. The pointer detection apparatus 1X includes a sensor unit 100. The sensor unit 100 is formed by laminating a transmission conductor group 11, an insulating layer, and a reception conductor group 12 in order from the lower layer side. In FIG. 11, the transmission conductor group 11 includes a plurality of linear transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,. The reception conductor group 12 includes a plurality of linear reception conductors 12X ₁ , 12X ₂ ,... Extending in a direction intersecting the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,. They are arranged in parallel with being separated from each other by a predetermined distance.

In the indicator detection apparatus 1X, the transmission signal supply circuit 21 controls each of the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,... At a timing according to the clock signal from the clock signal generation circuit 22 according to the control of the control circuit 40. Supply different predetermined signals. Specifically, the transmission signal supply circuit 21 supplies a signal having a different frequency for each transmission conductor (frequency multiplexing method), or generates a signal that is phase-shifted for each transmission conductor from a signal of a predetermined coding pattern. Or a signal having a different code pattern for each transmission conductor (code multiplexing method).

Then, in the receiving unit 300, a change in current flowing at an intersection (cross point) between each of the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,... And each of the reception conductors 12X ₁ , 12X ₂ ,. In this case, at the position on the sensor unit 100 where an indicator such as a finger is placed, the current is diverted through the indicator, thereby changing the current. For this reason, the position on the sensor part 100 instruct | indicated by the indicator can be detected by detecting the cross point where an electric current changes.

Specifically, in the receiving unit 300, as shown in FIG. 11, the signals of the receiving conductors 12X ₁ , 12X ₂ ,... Are amplified by the amplifier circuit 31 and converted into digital signals by the A / D conversion circuit 32. To the arithmetic processing circuit 33. The arithmetic processing circuit 33 operates on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit 32 according to a predetermined signal supplied to each of the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,. By performing the processing, a current change at each cross point is detected.

For example, if the transmission signal supply circuit 21 is of a frequency multiplexing system, the arithmetic processing circuit 33 outputs a signal having the same frequency as the signal supplied from the transmission signal supply circuit 21 to each of the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,. By performing the synchronous detection calculation used, a signal having a target frequency is detected. The position detection circuit 34 operates in accordance with the control of the control unit 40 in accordance with the signal level of the target frequency, and the position indicated by the indicator is detected.

If the transmission signal supply circuit 21 is of the phase shift method or code multiplexing method, the arithmetic processing circuit 33 corresponds to the code supplied from the transmission signal supply circuit 21 to each of the transmission conductors 11Y ₁ , 11Y ₂ ,. The correlation calculation value corresponding to the target code is calculated by performing the correlation calculation using the obtained code. The position detection circuit 34 operates according to the control of the control unit 40, and detects the position indicated by the indicator based on the calculated correlation calculation value.

  In the case of the cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device, as described above, the sensor unit 100 has a configuration in which a plurality of cross-points are provided. Point detection).

  The invention of the cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detecting device using the frequency multiplexing method is disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later, and the cross-point type capacitive coupling type using the phase shift method is disclosed. The invention relating to the pointer detection apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 2 described later. The invention of the cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device using the code multiplexing method is described in the application documents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288273 filed on Dec. 18, 2009.

  Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 described later disclose an invention related to a multi-user touch system that detects a contact position on a touch surface for each user when a plurality of users simultaneously touch the touch surface. . For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the multi-user touch system described in the cited document 3 is a table type including a display unit T200, a transparent substrate 410, a contact detection element 420, a transparent conductive layer 450, and electrodes EA to ED. It is. Although not shown in FIG. 12, a transmitter for supplying a predetermined signal to the transparent conductive layer 450 is connected to the transparent conductive layer 450, and each of the four electrodes EA to ED on the table top T100 is connected to the transmitter. Each has a receiver connected to it.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the users UA and UB brings the finger of one hand into contact with the transparent electrode layer 450 on the display screen of the display unit T200, and the finger of the other hand is made an electrode near the self. Contact EA and EB. In this case, a signal from a transmitter connected to the transparent conductive layer 450 is supplied to the electrodes EA and EB through the transparent conductive layer 450 and the bodies of the users UA and UB, and further connected to each of the electrodes EA and EB. Supplied to the receiver.

Accordingly, by assigning a user to each of the electrodes EA to ED in advance, which user is transparent on the display screen of the display unit based on the reception result of the receiver connected to each of the electrodes EA to EB. Whether a finger or the like is in contact with the electrode layer 450 can be detected. Further, the contact position of the user on the contact detection element can be detected through the contact detection element 420.

Moreover, it can also be set as the reverse structure. That is, a transmitter that generates a different signal is connected to each of the electrodes EA to ED, and a receiver is connected to the transparent conductive layer 450. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the users UA and UB brings the finger of one hand into contact with the nearby electrodes EA and EB, and the finger of the other hand is placed on the display screen of the display unit T200. The transparent electrode layer 450 is brought into contact. In this case, the signal from the transmitter connected to the electrode EA is supplied to the transparent conductive layer 450 through the body of the user UA and further supplied to the receiver through the transparent conductive layer. Similarly, a signal from a transmitter connected to the electrode EB is supplied to the transparent conductive layer 450 through the body of the user UB and further supplied to the receiver through the transparent conductive layer.

Thereby, in this case, the contact positions of the users UA and UB can be detected through the contact detection element 420. Then, by assigning a user in advance to each transmitter connected to each of the electrodes EA to ED, which user is on the display screen of the display unit according to the signal received by the receiver through the transparent conductive layer 450. It is possible to detect whether a finger or the like is in contact with the transparent electrode layer 450 .

JP 2011-3035 A JP 2011-3036 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0273670A1 JP 2003-22158 A

  In recent years, it has been considered to realize an unprecedented electronic blackboard, game machine, and the like by combining an indicator detection device such as a touch panel with a display device having a relatively large display screen. In the case of such an electronic blackboard or game machine, it is desired to realize more flexible operability and to flexibly link the operation and the display.

For this purpose, first, when a plurality of users indicate a position on the sensor unit of an indicator detection device such as a touch panel at the same time using a plurality of indicators, each of the indicated positions is indicated for each user. It is desirable to be able to grasp. Furthermore, it is also desired that information to be displayed can be controlled for each user and for each indicated position.

  However, in the case of the invention of the pointer detection apparatus using the cross-point type electrostatic coupling method described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like described above, since it is not assumed to be used simultaneously by a plurality of users, Even if it can go out, it cannot do until user discrimination. Moreover, in the case of the invention of the multi-user touch system described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 described above, since it is not assumed that a plurality of users use a plurality of indicators at the same time, the user can be detected. The multipoint detection (multitouch detection) for each user cannot be performed, or the multipoint detection (multitouch detection) for each user cannot be performed with high accuracy.

  In the first place, in the case of the invention of the multi-user touch system described in Patent Document 3, one hand of the user must touch either one of the electrodes EA to ED provided on the table top T100. The operation input used cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a difficulty from the viewpoint of realizing flexible operability.

  Further, in the case of the invention of the multi-user touch system described in Patent Document 4 described above, as described in paragraph [0025], the user needs to take into account the timing information of the indication of each indicated position. Multipoint detection cannot be performed every time. In this case, if the timing information cannot be accurately acquired, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of multipoint detection for each user is lowered.

  Therefore, even if the technology described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 capable of multipoint detection and the technology described in Patent Literatures 3 and 4 capable of multiuser detection are simply combined, the configuration is complicated. Both multipoint detection (multitouch detection) and user detection (multiuser detection) cannot be performed with high accuracy. For this reason, when each of a plurality of users operates at the same time using a plurality of indicators such as fingers, it is difficult to link the operation and display for each user.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides multipoint detection (multitouch detection) and user detection (multiuser detection) even when a plurality of users operate simultaneously using a plurality of indicators. It is an object to be able to perform both of the above with high accuracy and to be able to flexibly link the operation and the display.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1 is provided.
A plurality of first conductors arranged in a first direction and a sensor conductor composed of a plurality of second conductors arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A signal transmission circuit for simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to two or more of the plurality of first conductors arranged in the first direction;
A signal receiving circuit for receiving signals from the plurality of second conductors arranged in the second direction;
A position detection circuit that detects positions of a plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor based on a signal output from the signal receiving circuit;
Based on a signal from the sensor conductor, a first indicator identifying information that is distinguishable from signals supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the plurality of first conductors arranged in the first direction is detected. An indicator identification information detection circuit;
Based on the position information of the indicator detected by the position detection circuit and the indicator identification information detected by the first indicator identification information detection circuit, the positions indicated by the plurality of indicators are A correspondence specifying circuit for specifying the correspondence of which indicator is an instruction;
By providing
The position of each of the plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor and the correspondence relationship between the plurality of indicators can be specified.

According to the multi-touch / multi-user detection device of the first aspect, the sensor conductor is arranged so that the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors intersect, and the plurality of first conductors are arranged. A plurality of intersections (cross points) are formed by the plurality of conductors and the plurality of second conductors. The plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors are electrostatically coupled, and when a predetermined signal from the signal transmission circuit is simultaneously supplied to two or more of the plurality of first conductors. Accordingly, a signal is induced in the second conductor, and this signal is received by the signal receiving circuit.

  Based on the signal from the signal receiving circuit, the indicated position detection circuit detects the position indicated by each of the plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor. In addition, based on the signal from the sensor conductor, indicator identification information that can be distinguished from the signal supplied to the first conductor by the signal transmission circuit is detected by the indicator identification information detection circuit. Then, based on the position information from the pointing position detection circuit and the pointer identification information from the pointer identification information detection circuit, the correspondence between the positions indicated by the plurality of pointers and the pointer is determined by the correspondence specifying circuit. Identified.

Thereby, both the detection of each position instructed by a plurality of indicators (multi-touch detection) and the user detection using each indicator (multi-user detection) are performed in a complex process. It can be performed easily and accurately.

  According to this invention, even when a plurality of users operate simultaneously using a plurality of indicators, both multipoint detection (multitouch detection) and user detection (multiuser detection) are accurate. Can be done well. Thereby, cooperation with operation and a display can also be performed flexibly.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the multi-touch multi-user detection apparatus comprised by applying one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the multitouch multiuser detection apparatus 1 of embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the user and the position identification circuit 33A of the multitouch multiuser detection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the utilization aspect of the information processing apparatus formed using the multitouch multiuser detection apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the copy process of the input information between user operation areas. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where a part of each user operation area | region of user A and B overlaps. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the information processing apparatus which made the multi-touch multi-user detection apparatus and the display apparatus separate. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the modification about the location which provides the circuit part which performs a multiuser detection. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement period of each part in the case of the multitouch multiuser detection apparatus which has 300 A of receiving parts and the Y-axis direction user ID detection part. 4 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of a signal generator 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a conventional structure of the indicator detection apparatus of a crosspoint type electrostatic coupling system. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the conventional multiuser touch system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of Multi-Touch / Multi-User Detection Device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of this embodiment is arranged so as to be stacked on the display screen of the display device 3 and is used integrally with the display device 3. The

  That is, the operation surface of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 and the display screen of the display device 3 are substantially the same in size and shape. The position on the operation surface of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 and the position on the display screen of the display device 3 are in a one-to-one correspondence.

  For this reason, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 has transparency, and the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 3 through the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 can be viewed with good visibility. Yes. The display device 3 may be a thin display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (organic electroluminescence display), or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). A CRT (cathode Ray Tube) can also be used.

  The multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 and the display device 3 are connected to a display control device 4. The display control device 4 is a computer device, and controls display information and display mode displayed on the display screen of the display device 3 in accordance with the detection output from the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1.

  As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1, the display device 3, and the display control device 4 constitute an information processing device having a so-called table type configuration. Is forming.

  As will be described in detail later, the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment can perform multi-point detection (multi-touch detection) by adopting a cross-point type electrostatic coupling method. Is. As described above, the cross-point type capacitive coupling method includes a frequency multiplexing method, a phase shift method, a code multiplexing method, and the like. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, an example will be described in which a frequency multiplexing system that supplies signals having different frequencies for each transmission conductor is used.

  Furthermore, the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment simultaneously performs instruction operations from a plurality of users, as shown in FIG. 1 when the users A and B are simultaneously performing instruction operations. It has a relatively wide operation area that can be accepted. For this reason, in the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of this embodiment, even when a plurality of users perform an instruction operation at the same time, detection of which user has indicated each indicated position (multi-user's Detection).

  Specifically, in order to realize multi-user detection, each user who performs an instruction operation on the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 wears a signal generator that generates a unique signal for each user. Yes. In FIG. 1, the user A is wearing the signal generator 2A, and the user B is wearing the signal generator 2B. Then, the signals from the signal generators 2A and 2B are supplied to the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 through the bodies and indicators of the users A and B, so that the indicated position indicated by the indicator is which user. Is identified (detected).

  The signal generators 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B used by the user are also realized as outputting signals having different frequencies for each user or outputting signals having different code patterns for each user. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the signal generators 2A and 2B will be described by taking as an example a case of outputting signals having different frequencies for each user.

  However, as described above, the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment also realizes multi-touch detection. For this reason, when the frequency multiplexing method is adopted, each of the signal generators 2A and 2B has a signal having a frequency different from that of the transmission signal supplied to each of the plurality of transmission conductors of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1. In addition, a signal with a different frequency is output for each user.

  Note that the signal generators 2A and 2B used by the user basically have the same configuration. For this reason, the signal generators 2A and 2B used by the user are collectively referred to as the signal generator 2 unless otherwise specifically indicated. In addition, the signal generator 2 may employ various configurations that can transmit a signal having a target frequency by using an oscillator and boost the signal to a target voltage level and propagate it to the user's body.

  As described above, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 according to this embodiment simultaneously detects multi-points (multi-touch detection), and detects which user has indicated each indicated position (multi-user detection). Detection). As described above, based on the detection output from the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1, the display control device 4 can control the display information and display mode displayed on the display screen of the display device 3. I have to.

  In addition, the indicator which performs instruction operation with respect to the multi-touch multi-user detection apparatus 1 can also use one or more touch pens for every user other than a user's finger | toe. However, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the case where the indicator is a user's finger will be described as an example.

[Configuration Example of Multi-Touch / Multi-User Detection Device 1]
Next, a configuration example of the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of this embodiment controls a sensor unit 100 including a touch sensor (detection sensor), a transmission unit 200, a reception unit 300A, and these operations. And a control unit 40. The control circuit 40 is a circuit for controlling each part of the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment, and is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer.

The sensor unit 100 is a part configured in the same manner as the sensor unit 100 of the conventional cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device shown in FIG. That is, the sensor unit 100 includes a plurality of first conductors connected to the transmission unit 200 and a plurality of second conductors connected to the reception unit 300A . In the following description, for example, a _first conductor composed of ₆₄ transmission conductors 11Y _{1 to} 11Y ₆₄ is a transmission conductor, and constitutes the transmission conductor group 11. For example, the second conductor composed of ₆₄ reception conductors 12X _{1 to} 12X ₆₄ is a reception conductor and constitutes the reception conductor group 12. The number of transmission conductors constituting the transmission conductor group 11, the number of reception conductors constituting the reception conductor group 12, the arrangement interval, and the like are appropriately set according to the embodiment, such as the size of the instruction input screen 100 </ b> S.

  Each of the 64 transmission conductors constituting the transmission conductor group 11 is a linear conductor arranged extending in the X-axis direction (lateral direction in FIG. 2) of the sensor unit 100. Each of the 64 reception conductors constituting the reception conductor group 12 is a linear conductor arranged extending in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the sensor unit 100. The transmission conductor group 11 and the reception conductor group 12 are disposed to face each other via an insulating material. A point where the transmission conductor and the reception conductor intersect is called a cross point.

  The transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X are formed of, for example, a transparent electrode film made of a silver pattern, an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film, or a copper foil. Although not shown, the sensor unit 100 in this example is formed by laminating the lower substrate, the transmission conductor group 11, the insulating material, the reception conductor group 12, and the upper substrate in order from the lower side (in the Z-axis direction). Has been. Further, the lower substrate and the upper substrate are formed of a sheet (film) made of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin, or a glass substrate or a copper foil pattern substrate.

  The receiving conductor group 12 side (upper substrate side) is an instruction input surface 100S on which an instruction operation input is performed by a user using an indicator such as a finger, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 according to this embodiment is configured integrally with a display device 3 such as a liquid crystal panel. In this case, the sensor unit 100 of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 is provided so as to overlap the display screen of the display device 3.

The transmission unit 200 is also a part configured similarly to the transmission unit 200 of the conventional cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection apparatus shown in FIG. That is, the transmission unit 200 supplies a signal for enabling detection of the pointing position by the pointer to the pointing input surface 100 </ b> S of the sensor unit 100 to each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission unit 200 includes a transmission signal supply circuit 21 and a clock generation circuit 22. The transmission signal supply circuit 21 is a signal (periodic signal) having a different frequency for each of the transmission conductors 11Y _{1 to} 11Y ₆₄ at the timing of the clock signal CLK from the clock generation circuit 22 in accordance with the control from the control unit 40. Are simultaneously supplied (multiplex transmission). Such a signal supply form is referred to as a “frequency multiplexing system”, and a plurality of periodic signals to be supplied are collectively referred to as a “multi-frequency signal”.

  The receiving unit 300A detects (identifies) the pointing position on the pointing input surface 100S by the pointer by performing signal processing on the received signal (current signal) obtained from each receiving conductor constituting the receiving conductor group 12. And detecting (identifying) the user for each indicator. As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving unit 300A includes an amplifier circuit 31, an A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion circuit 32, a user and position identification circuit 33A, and a position detection circuit 34A.

  The amplifier circuit 31 amplifies reception signals obtained from the reception conductors constituting the reception conductor group and supplies them to the A / D conversion circuit 32. The A / D conversion circuit 32 converts the reception signals from the reception conductors amplified by the amplification circuit 31 into digital signals and supplies them to the user and the position identification circuit 33A.

  When an instruction operation is performed on the sensor unit 100 using an indicator, the user and position identification circuit 33A detects (identifies) the indicated position indicated by the indicator and the user who has indicated each indicated position. Detection (identification) is performed. In this case, when a plurality of indicators such as fingers are used at the same time, the indication positions of the plurality of indicators can be identified, and when a plurality of users perform an instruction operation at the same time, The position can be identified by which user. In other words, the user and position identification circuit 33A realizes both multi-touch detection and multi-user detection.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the user and position identifying circuit 33A. As shown in FIG. 3, the user and position identification circuit 33 </ b> A is provided with a user ID identification filter 331 and an indicated position identification filter 332 for each reception conductor. The user ID identification filter 331 is a part that realizes multi-user detection, and the pointing position identification filter 332 is a part that realizes multi-touch detection.

  For each digitized reception signal from each reception conductor supplied through the A / D conversion circuit 32, the user ID identification filter 331 is a signal having the same frequency as the signal from the signal generator 2 provided for each user. Is used to perform synchronous detection calculation. As a result, when there is a user who has performed an instruction operation, the user who has performed the instruction operation using the indicator can be identified (detected) for each reception conductor via the user ID identification filter 331.

  Specifically, as many user ID identification filters 331 as the number of users that can be operated simultaneously are provided in parallel for each reception conductor, with arithmetic circuits that perform synchronous detection processing using DCT arithmetic. Each arithmetic circuit is assigned a signal having the same frequency as the signal generated by the signal generator 2 whose frequency is different for each user in a one-to-one correspondence.

  Each of the arithmetic circuits provided in parallel with the user ID identification filter 331 multiplies a signal from a predetermined reception conductor converted into a digital signal by a signal having a predetermined frequency assigned to the circuit of its own. And integrate. In this case, for example, each arithmetic circuit outputs a signal that is at a high level when a signal having the predetermined frequency is present, and is at a low level when the signal is not present. As a result, when a signal having a frequency assigned to its own circuit can be detected in each arithmetic circuit, a signal generation that generates a signal of that frequency to the receiving conductor of the signal to be processed is supplied. It can be determined that the user using the device 2 is inputting an instruction using the indicator.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the frequency of the signal from the signal generator 2 included in the user is ID information for identifying the user. As described above, the user ID identification filter 331 can output information indicating which user is performing an instruction input using an indicator for which reception conductor. .

  On the other hand, the indication position identification filter 332 is configured to detect the signal supplied to each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 for each digitized reception signal from each reception conductor supplied through the A / D conversion circuit 32. Synchronous detection calculation using signals of the same frequency. Thereby, the designated position identification filter 332 detects a current change at each cross point. This change in current can also be detected by converting it into a change in voltage.

  Specifically, the indication position identification filter 332 is provided with 64 arithmetic circuits that perform synchronous detection processing using DCT arithmetic for each reception conductor, which is the same as the number of transmission conductors. Each arithmetic circuit provided for each reception conductor is assigned a signal having the same frequency as the signal supplied to each transmission conductor whose frequency is different for each transmission conductor in a one-to-one correspondence.

  As described above, the indication position identification filter 332 is provided with 64 arithmetic circuits corresponding to the 64 transmission conductors for every 64 reception conductors. In other words, each arithmetic circuit provided in the pointing position identification filter 332 is provided so as to correspond to 64 × 64 cross points on the pointing input surface 100S.

  In the pointing position identification filter 332, in each of the 64 arithmetic circuits provided for each reception conductor, a predetermined signal assigned to its own circuit is assigned to the digital signal from the corresponding reception conductor. Multiply and integrate the frequency signal. As a result, in each of the 64 arithmetic circuits provided for each reception conductor, a current change at a cross point formed by the reception conductor of the reception signal supply source and each transmission conductor is detected.

  As described above, a signal having a different frequency for each transmission conductor is supplied to each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 by the transmission signal supply circuit 21. Therefore, when the user's finger, which is an indicator, touches or approaches the instruction input surface 100S of the sensor unit 100, a transmission signal from the transmission conductor flows into the indicator at a nearby crosspoint, and flows from the transmission conductor to the reception conductor. The current decreases.

  For this reason, in the indication position identification filter 332, the arithmetic circuit provided corresponding to each cross point is not in contact or proximity when the indicator is in contact with or close to the corresponding cross point. A detection signal having a level lower than the normal level is output. Thereby, based on the detection output from each arithmetic circuit of the indication position identification filter 332, it is possible to identify (detect) a cross point where the indicator is in contact with or close to the indicator. Since the cross point is an intersection between the reception conductor and the transmission conductor as described above, the contact position or the proximity position of the indicator on the instruction input surface 100S is grasped at the cross point on the instruction input surface 100S. be able to.

As described above, the indication position identification filter 332 can output information indicating to which cross point on the indication input surface 100S the indication operation is performed by the indicator.

The position detection circuit 34A of the receiving unit 300A receives information from the user ID identification filter 331 indicating information indicating which user is using the indicator to input which reception conductor. In addition, the position detection circuit 34A receives information indicating which cross point on the instruction input surface 100S is instructed by the indicator from the instruction position identification filter 332.

  The position detection circuit 34A detects each of the indication positions by one or more indicators based on the information from the user ID identification filter 331 and the information from the indication position identification filter 332, and each indication position indicates which user Is detected and output. That is, the position detection circuit 34A outputs information in which two-dimensional coordinate data (X-axis data and Y-axis data) indicating the pointing position by the pointer on the pointing input surface 100S is associated with the user identification information.

Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the user A is in contact with a finger (indicator) at a cross point where the receiving conductor 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect on the sensor unit 100. To do. In this case, it is identified by the indicator that the cross point where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect is indicated by the function of the indication position identification filter 332 described above. At the same time, by the function of the user ID identifying filter 331 described above, the reception conductors 12X ₆ the user A are identified that are indicated by the indicator. These identification results can be associated (linked) by the receiving conductor 12X.

Therefore, in this example, the position detection circuit 34A associates two-dimensional coordinate data (reception conductor 12X ₆ , transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ ) indicating the indication position of the indicator with user identification information (user ID of user A). The attached information, for example, (reception conductor 12X ₆ , transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ , user A) is formed and output. Even if a plurality of users perform an instruction operation on the sensor unit 100 using all five fingers of both hands as indicators, the functions of the user and the position identification circuit 33A can In addition, it is possible to grasp the indicated position (cross point) and the user who uses the indicator. For this reason, the position detection circuit 34A can form and output, for each indicator, information in which two-dimensional coordinate data indicating the indication position of the indicator is associated with the user identification information. Similarly, when the user B's finger indicates the position on the sensor unit 100, the information corresponding to the two-dimensional coordinate data indicating the indicated position of the indicator and the user identification information is output in the same manner. can do.

  Output information from the position detection circuit 34A is supplied to the display control device 4 shown in FIG. Thereby, as will be described in detail below, the display control device 4 provides information in a manner in which each user can be identified at a corresponding position on the display screen of the display device 3 according to the designated position for each user. Can be displayed.

[Usage Mode of Information Processing Device Having Multi-Touch / Multi-User Detection Device 1]
Next, a usage mode of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 formed by using the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a usage mode of the information processing apparatus formed by using the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment. The case where it sees from the upper direction of the instruction input surface (operation surface) 100S is shown. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the users A and B are positioned so as to face each other with the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 interposed therebetween.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the users A and B touches or approaches their own hands to the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S so as to indicate two points on a predetermined rectangular diagonal line. And As described above, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 performs multi-touch detection and multi-user detection, and supplies the detection output to the display control device 4.

  As described above, when the user performs an operation for simultaneously instructing two points on the diagonal line on the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S, the display control device 4 determines that the user operation area setting instruction has been performed. . Then, the display control device 4 sets a quadrangular area whose diagonal is a straight line connecting the instructed two points as a user operation area. Then, the display control device 4 displays a frame line in the region portion on the display screen of the display device 3 corresponding to the designated region portion, or reversely displays the region portion on the display screen, thereby The user operation area designated by the user can be recognized.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, the user operation region ArA user A specifies the left side of the pointing input surface 100S of the multi-touch and multi-user detection device 1 is set, the user on the right side of the pointing input surface 100S The case where the user operation area ArB designated by B is set is shown. For the user operation area, the display controller 4 recognizes the input information by allowing the user to draw characters, symbols, pictures, figures, etc. directly using an indicator. And the display control apparatus 4 can display the recognized input information on the display area of the display screen of the display apparatus 3 which corresponds to the said user operation area | region where input operation was performed.

As another method for inputting information, there is a method using display information such as a so-called software keyboard. Specifically, under the control of the display control device 4, a software keyboard composed of numeric keys, alphabet keys (50-character keys), symbol keys, etc. is displayed for the user operation area. The user performs an instruction operation through the indicator. Then, the display control device 4 recognizes the display information of the software keyboard corresponding to the position instructed by the user, so that the input of information such as characters instructed by the user can be accepted. Also in this case, the display control device 4 can display the recognized input information at a predetermined position in the display area of the display screen of the display device 3 that matches the user operation area where the input operation has been performed.

  Then, the display control device 4 recognizes that the user operation area ArA is set by the user A and the user operation area ArB is set by the user B based on the detection output from the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1. Can manage this. For this reason, the operation input from the user A is validated for the user operation area ArA, and the operation input from the user B is validated for the user operation area ArB.

  Then, the display control device 4 stores the information input to each user operation area on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk built in the own device or a recording medium of a recording device connected to the own device. Files can be recorded and stored separately for each user operation area. For example, information input to the user operation area ArA can be recorded in the file A, and information input to the user operation area ArB can be recorded in the file B.

In addition, the user can adjust the size of the user operation area by instructing two points on the diagonal line of his / her user operation area using both hands and performing an operation of narrowing or widening. In addition, the user performs a so-called drag operation in which the finger is brought into contact with the user operation area and the finger is dragged while maintaining the contact state of the finger, thereby performing the user operation on the instruction input surface 100S. The formation position of the region can also be moved. In this case, the display area on the display screen of the display device 3 also moves corresponding to the movement of the user operation area. Therefore, the user operation area does not shift from the corresponding display area.

  In addition, information input to the user operation area can be copied to another user operation area. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process of copying input information between user operation areas. As shown in FIG. 5A, a user operation area ArA formed by the user A and a user operation area ArB formed by the user B are provided on the instruction input surface 100S. To do. Then, it is assumed that information “XXX” is input by the user B in the user operation area ArB and displayed on the display area corresponding to the user operation area ArB on the display screen of the display device 3. .

Then, it is assumed that it is necessary to copy the information “◯◯ △ ◯◯” displayed in the user operation area ArB to the user operation area ArA. In this case, when the user B touches the user operation area ArB, for example, and performs a drag operation, the formation position on the instruction input surface 100S of the user operation area ArB as shown in FIG. To change . Then, a part of the user operation area ArB is overlapped with a part of the user operation area ArA.

As described above, when a part of the user operation area ArB is overlapped with a part of the user operation area ArA by an instruction operation by the user, the display control device 4 changes from the user operation area ArB to the user display area. It is determined that copying of information to ArA is instructed. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the display control device 4 moves the information “◯◯ △ ◯◯” displayed in the user operation area ArB to the user operation area ArA by the indicator. By doing so, it is also displayed in the display area corresponding to the user operation area ArA. Thereby, the information displayed in the user operation area ArB is copied to the user operation area ArA.

  In addition, when a lot of various information is input to the user operation area and displayed in the corresponding display area, only a part of the information is copied to the other user operation area. Sometimes you want to. In such a case, first, the user drags the part on the display area where the information to be copied is displayed in his / her user operation area by using a finger or the like, so that the information to be copied is displayed. specify.

  Thereafter, as described above, for example, when the user B performs a drag operation by touching the finger, the display position of the copy source user operation area is moved as shown in FIG. A part of the copy source user operation area is superimposed on a part of the user operation area. As a result, it is possible to copy the information of the designated part of the copy source user operation area to the copy destination user operation area.

  Note that not only information copying but also information movement can be performed in the same manner as copying. In this case, after specifying the information to be copied or the information to be moved, it may be possible to select whether to copy or move through an icon or the like. When moving is selected, the corresponding information is erased from the display area of the movement source, and the corresponding information is displayed in the display area of the movement destination.

  Also, the input information can be copied or moved by another operation. For example, the information to be copied or moved among the information displayed in the display area corresponding to the copy-source or move-source user operation area is specified by tracing the display position (drag operation) or the like. . Thereafter, the user who has designated the information touches the target position in the user operation area of the copy destination or the move destination, and designates the copy position or the move position, thereby copying or moving the information. It is also possible to perform.

  In addition, after selecting information to be copied or moved in the user area, the user can copy or move the information in the user area by performing an operation for instructing the copy position or the moving position. It is also possible to delete information in the user area by selecting the information to be deleted in the user area and then performing an operation to instruct execution of predetermined deletion. Of course, the target information can be changed, or information can be added to the target position. In this way, each user can perform various target processes by performing various instruction operations on the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, when each of the user operation areas of a plurality of users is set without overlapping with the user operation areas of other users, each user appropriately recognizes his / her user operation area. In addition, the user's designated position on the instruction input surface 100S can be accurately recognized. However, there are cases where the indication positions of a plurality of users are complicated. Even in such a case, in the information processing apparatus using the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to clearly indicate the designated position of each user.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the user A and B have a plurality of pointing positions with respect to the pointing input surface 100S of the multi-touch / multi-user detecting device 1 so that a part of each user operation area overlaps. FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the users A and B sets his / her own user operation area by pointing two points on the diagonal line using both hands on the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1. Suppose that an operation is performed.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, when the right hands of the users A and B indicate the positions close to each other on the instruction input surface 100 </ b> S, the users A and B respectively indicate their right hand pointing positions. It is thought that inconveniences such as mistakes may occur. Such inconvenience increases as the number of users who simultaneously operate the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 increases.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus using the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the user's instruction is displayed by displaying the instruction position for each user using a different mark (touch mark) for each user. The misrecognition of the position is prevented. As described above, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of this embodiment detects the indication position on the indication input surface 100S and which user indicated each indication position, and notifies the display control device 4 of it. can do.

  Therefore, the display control device 4 displays a mark (touch mark) of a different mode for each user at a position on the display screen of the display device 3 corresponding to the indication position on the indication input surface 100S, thereby The indicated positions can be clearly shown so as to be distinguishable from each other. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a rectangular touch mark MA is displayed at a position on the display screen of the display device 3 corresponding to the position indicated by the user A. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a circular touch mark MB is displayed at a position on the display screen of the display device 3 corresponding to the user B instruction position.

  Thus, each user can clearly recognize the designated position by his / her finger by the touch marks MA and MB displayed at the designated position of his / her finger used as the indicator. Here, the indication position by the indicator is indicated by using touch marks having different shapes for each user, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it show the indication position by a pointer by the display of a different color for every user. In this case, the shape of the portion that changes the color may be different for each user, or may be a common shape.

  Further, in FIG. 6, a portion (a portion indicated by a plurality of fingers of each user's hand) shown in a circle so as to surround each palm of the users A and B is indicated by a different color for each user. Also good. The said part is good also as a different shape for every user, and is good also as a common shape. Thus, the indication position for each user can be clearly shown by indicating the indication position by the indicator in a different manner for each user.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, the user operation area ArA is formed by the user A, and the user operation area ArB is formed by the user B. Also, for this user operation area, in order to clarify which area is which user's area, a frame line displayed so as to surround the user operation area ArA and a frame displayed so as to surround the user operation area ArB It is also possible to change the display color and the type of the frame line.

  Also, the user operation area ArA and the user operation area ArB can have different background colors. For example, by setting the background color of the user operation area ArA to white, the background color of the user operation area ArB to black, and the portion where both areas overlap to be gray, each user operation area can be clearly shown, It is possible to clearly show the overlapping area.

  In addition, the information input through the instruction input surface 100S is displayed in various different modes, such as displaying different colors for each user or differently displaying reverse display and non-reverse display for each user. You can also Further, the locus of the designated position on the instruction input surface 100S can be displayed in various different modes, such as displaying the locus in different colors for each user, or making the line type indicating the locus different.

[Another example of the information processing apparatus using the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment described above is formed by integrally stacking a multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 on a display screen of a display apparatus 3. However, an information processing apparatus in which the multi-touch / multi-user detection device and the display device are separated can be configured.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an information processing device in which a multi-touch / multi-user detection device and a display device are separated. As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus of this example is provided with a multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1, a personal computer 4A, and a display apparatus 3A as separate units.

In FIG. 7, the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 is configured in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. However, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 and the display device are separate. For this reason, the sensor unit 100 of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 does not need to have transparency.

In FIG. 7, the personal computer 4A realizes the same function as the display control device 4 in the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. That is, the personal computer 4 </ b> A can display various information on the display screen of the display device 3 </ b> A according to the detection output from the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1. In FIG. 7, a thin display element such as an LCD, an organic EL display, or a PDP or a CRT can be applied to the display device 3A.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 detects each of the indication positions by one or more indicators, and determines which user has indicated each indication position. Detect and notify the personal computer 4A. Specifically, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 associates two-dimensional coordinate data (X-axis data and Y-axis data) indicating the position indicated by the pointer on the instruction input surface 100S with user identification information. Information is supplied to the personal computer 4A.

  In response to the detection output from the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1, the personal computer 4A displays a different mode for each user at a position on the display screen of the display device 3A corresponding to the position indicated by the indicator. Will be able to. In the example shown in FIG. 7, as in FIG. 6, the indication position by the user A is indicated by a square touch mark MA, and the indication position by the user B is indicated by a circular touch mark MB.

Further, in FIG. 7, a portion indicated by user A using a finger as an indicator is shown using a square display, and a portion indicated by user B using a finger as an indicator is shown using a circular display. You can also do. It is also possible to add different colors to these portions for each user. As for the distinction between user operation region ArB a user operation region ArA and the user B that the user A has to be set has to be set, similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 6, borders, background color It is also possible to make them clearly shown by making them different.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, even if each device is a separate information processing device, as in the case of the integrated information processing device shown in FIG. It is possible to receive an operation and perform display control processing corresponding to the operation. In the case of the separate information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 7, an indicator such as a user's hand is not positioned on the display screen of the display device 3A. For this reason, in the case of the separate information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the entire display screen of the display apparatus 3 </ b> A can be confirmed while performing an instruction operation on the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1.

[Modification of Configuration of Multi-Touch / Multi-User Detection Device 1]
As described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 uses the user and position identification circuit 33 </ b > A of the receiving unit 300 </ b > A to detect (identify) multi-user and detect (identify) multi-touch. And to do. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a circuit portion that performs multi-user detection based on signals from the reception conductors of the reception conductor group 12 may be configured not to be provided in the reception unit 300A. In addition, a circuit portion that performs multi-user detection based on a signal from each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 may be provided.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a modified example of a place where a circuit portion for performing multi-user detection is provided. In FIG. 8, the sensor unit 100 and the transmission unit 200 are parts configured in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 2. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the receiving unit 300 performs only multi-touch detection (multi-point detection) as in the case of a conventional cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device. As shown in FIG. 11, the portion includes an amplifier circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 32, an arithmetic processing circuit 33, and a position detection circuit 34. The arithmetic processing circuit 33 is configured in the same manner as the designated position identification filter 332 shown in FIG.

  The X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is provided in parallel to the reception unit 300, and is a circuit portion that performs multi-user detection based on signals from the reception conductors of the reception conductor group 12. is there. Specifically, although not shown, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is a part including an amplification circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, a user ID identification filter, and a user detection circuit.

  Here, the amplification circuit of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is a part configured in the same manner as the amplification circuit 31 of the reception unit 300, and the A / D conversion circuit of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is a reception unit. This is a portion configured similarly to the A / D conversion circuit 32 of the unit 300. Further, the user ID identification filter of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is a part configured similarly to the user ID identification filter described with reference to FIG. Further, the user detection circuit of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 outputs information indicating which user is instructing which reception conductor based on the detection output from the user ID identification filter. This is supplied to the control device.

  In this way, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is provided for the conventional cross-point electrostatic coupling type pointer detection apparatus including the sensor unit 100, the transmission unit 200, and the reception unit 300. Thus, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of the present invention can be realized.

Further, multi-user detection can be performed through the transmission conductors constituting the transmission conductor group 11. That is, multi-user detection can be performed by detecting a signal from the signal generator 2 included in each user that is supplied to the sensor unit 100 through the indicator of each user. Therefore, multi-user detection can be performed by detecting a signal from the signal generator 2 of each user supplied to each transmission conductor constituting the transmission conductor group 11.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 that receives supply of signals from the transmission conductors constituting the transmission conductor group 11 is provided, and multi-user detection is performed here. The specific configuration of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is basically the same as that of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 except that the input signal is different. That is, although not shown, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, a user ID identification filter, and a user detection circuit.

  The amplification circuit of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is also configured in the same manner as the amplification circuit 31 of the reception unit 300, and the A / D conversion circuit of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 receives the signal. This is a part configured similarly to the A / D conversion circuit 32 of the unit 300. In addition, the user ID identification filter of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is also a part configured similarly to the user ID identification filter described with reference to FIG. Then, the user detection circuit of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 outputs information indicating which user is instructing which transmission conductor based on the detection output from the user ID identification filter. This is supplied to the control device.

  By including the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 having such a configuration, it is detected which user is performing an instruction operation with respect to which transmission conductor constituting the transmission conductor group 11 using the indicator. be able to. Since the multi-touch detection can be performed in the receiving unit 300, based on the detection output of the receiving unit 300 and the detection output of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, each designated position is designated by which user. You will be able to figure out.

  As described above, with respect to each transmission conductor constituting the transmission conductor group 11, in order to realize multi-touch detection (multi-point detection), signals having different frequencies (multi-frequency signals) for each transmission conductor. Is supplied. For this reason, it is difficult to detect a signal supplied from the signal generator 2 of each user from each transmission conductor to which a multi-frequency signal is supplied.

  Therefore, the frequency band of the multi-frequency signal supplied to each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 and the frequency band of the signal generated by the signal generator 2 of each user are set to a certain extent. A band filter that passes signals in the frequency band of the signal generated by the signal generator 2 of each user from each transmission conductor is provided in the front stage of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 to be supplied to each transmission conductor. Multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction can be performed by removing the influence of the multi-frequency signal.

  As another method, the period from which the multi-frequency signal is supplied to each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 and the signal generator 2 provided by the user from each transmission conductor by the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500. You may make it divide | segment the period which detects a signal. In this case, multi-touch detection is performed in the receiving unit 300 during a period in which a multi-frequency signal is supplied to each transmission conductor.

  By performing the time division processing in this way, multi-touch detection and multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction can be accurately performed. In this case as well, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is compared to the conventional cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device including the sensor unit 100, the transmission unit 200, and the reception unit 300. Even if provided, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 of the present invention can be realized.

As described above, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 detects which user is performing an instruction operation on which reception conductor. In contrast, Y-axis direction user ID detecting section 500 for any transmission conductors, to detect what the user is performing an instruction operation. And the receiving part 300 can detect the instruction | indication position on the instruction | indication input surface 100S by each of a some indicator by the crosspoint type | mold electrostatic coupling system. For this reason, in addition to the multi-user detection result of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, the user can input an instruction by considering the multi-touch detection result of the reception unit 300. It is possible to specify where the surface 100S is instructed.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user A is in contact with a finger (indicator) at a cross point where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ on the sensor unit 100 intersect. In this case, the receiving unit 300 detects that the indicator is in contact with a cross point where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect. Further, the X-axis direction user ID detecting section 400, that the user A is in contact with the pointer is detected in the reception conductor 12X _6. Thus, the cross point of the reception conductors 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect can grasp that the user A has instructed using indicator.

In the same case, it is assumed that the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is used instead of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400. In this case, the receiving unit 300 detects that the indicator is in contact with the cross point where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect. Further, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 detects that the user A is in contact with the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ using an indicator. Thus, the cross point of the reception conductors 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect can grasp that the user A has instructed using indicator.

  By the way, when the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 has the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a plurality of users simultaneously perform an instruction operation on the same reception conductor, The user cannot be accurately associated. This is because the user ID identification filter 331 can only detect which user is instructing which reception conductor, and cannot detect the indicated position in the Y-axis direction on the reception conductor. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 includes a sensor unit 100, a transmission unit 200, a reception unit 300, and an X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400. It can also be said that.

  Further, when the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 is configured to include a sensor unit 100, a transmission unit 200, a reception unit 300, and a Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, as shown in FIG. A similar problem occurs. That is, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 can only detect which user is instructing which transmission conductor, and can detect the indicated position in the X-axis direction on the transmission conductor. It is because it is not possible.

  In order to cope with such a problem, it is only necessary to perform multi-user detection on both the reception conductor (X-axis direction) and the transmission conductor (Y-axis direction) and consider the results of both. Specifically, in the case of the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 having the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 described with reference to FIG. 8 is further provided. Then, in addition to the detection result of which user is performing the instruction operation on which reception conductor, the detection result of which user is performing the instruction operation on which transmission conductor is also considered, and each indicator It is determined which user is instructing each indicated position.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 8, when the receiving unit 300 and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 are provided, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is further provided. Conversely, when the receiving unit 300 and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are provided, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 is also provided. By doing so, it is possible to detect which user is performing the pointing operation for which receiving conductor and which transmitting conductor. It can be determined appropriately.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user A is in contact with a finger (indicator) at a cross point where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ on the sensor unit 100 intersect. Further, the reception conductor 12X ₆ on the sensor unit 100 and the transmission conductors 11Y ₅ is a cross-point crossing, and the user B was brought into contact with a finger (pointer). In this case, the receiving section 300, that the cross point of the reception conductors 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor _{11Y 61} intersect, cross point and the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₅ intersect is indicated by indicator Detected (identified). Further, the X-axis direction user ID detecting section 400, that the users A and B are indicated with the pointer is detected (identified) to the reception conductors 12X _6.

However, according to the identification results so far, the cross points where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect and the cross points where the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmission conductor 11Y ₅ intersect are respectively user A and user It is not possible to identify which of B is instructed. Therefore, the detection (identification) result of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is used. In this example, the Y-axis direction user ID detecting section 500, that the user A has instructed using pointer is detected (identified) to the transmission conductors 11Y _61, the user to the transmission conductors 11Y ₅ It is detected (identified) that B is instructing using the indicator.

By considering the detection (identification) results of the Y-axis direction user ID detecting section 500, the cross point between the reception conductor 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₆₁ intersect, it can be specified to have been instructed by the user A. Similarly, cross point where the receiving conductor 12X ₆ and the transmitting conductor 11Y ₅ intersect, can be specified to have been instructed by the user B. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp which user is instructed at each indicated position (each crosspoint) by the plurality of indicators on the sensor unit 100.

  As described above, the transmission conductors of the transmission conductor group 11 are supplied with multifrequency signals having different frequencies for each transmission conductor. For this reason, in a state where a multi-frequency signal is supplied to each transmission conductor, it is difficult to detect a signal supplied from the signal generator 2 of each user to the transmission conductor. Therefore, a time-sharing process is performed in which a period in which multi-user detection in the X-axis direction and multi-touch detection are performed and a period in which multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction is alternately performed are performed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation period of each unit in the case of a multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus including the reception unit 300A and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500. As shown in FIG. 9, the transmission unit 200 and the reception unit 300A are operated and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is stopped. The transmission unit 200 and the reception unit 300A are stopped and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit is stopped. The period for operating 500 is alternately provided. The control can be performed by the control unit 40 controlling each unit.

  In this way, it is possible to reliably perform multi-user detection and multi-touch detection in the X-axis direction during the period in which the transmission unit 200 and the reception unit 300A operate. In the period in which the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 operates, multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction can be accurately performed without interfering with multi-frequency signals.

Further, similar control may be performed even in the case of the configuration in which the receiving unit 300, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400, and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 described with reference to FIG. 8 are provided. That is, a period in which the transmission unit 200 is operated and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is stopped and a period in which the transmission unit 200 is stopped and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is operated alternately are provided. That's fine. In this case, in the period during which the transmission unit 200 is operated, the reception unit 300 and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 are also operated, and in the period during which the transmission unit 200 is stopped, the reception unit 300 and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit. 400 is also stopped.

  In this way, it is possible to reliably perform multi-user detection and multi-touch detection in the X-axis direction during the period in which the transmission unit 200, the reception unit 300, and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 operate. In the period in which the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 operates, multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction can be accurately performed without interfering with multi-frequency signals.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the functions of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are realized by the reception unit 300A described with reference to FIGS. You can also. That is, as described above, the user ID identification filter of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 and the user ID identification filter of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are the same as the user ID identification filter 331 described with reference to FIG. It can be configured similarly.

  For this reason, the user of the receiving unit 300A and the user ID identification filter 331 of the position identification circuit 33A are used for both multi-user detection in the X-axis direction and multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction. For this reason, in the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the signal from each reception conductor of the reception conductor group 12 and the signal from each transmission conductor of the transmission conductor group 11 are connected to the front stage of the amplification circuit 31. A switching circuit for switching which is supplied to the amplifier circuit 31 is provided.

  Then, a period for operating the transmission unit 200 and a period for stopping the transmission unit 200 are provided. In this case, the receiving unit 300A is always in an operating state. In the period in which the transmission unit 200 is operated, the signals from the reception conductors constituting the reception conductor group 12 are supplied to the amplifier circuit 31, and in the period in which the transmission unit 200 is stopped, the transmissions in the transmission conductor group 11 are transmitted. The switching circuit is switched so that a signal from the conductor is supplied to the amplifier circuit 31.

Thereby, in the period during which the transmission unit 200 is operated, the reception unit 300A can perform multi-user detection and multi-touch detection in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, in the period during which the transmission unit 200 is stopped, the reception unit 300A can perform multi-user detection in the Y-axis direction. In this way, without providing the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, it is possible to obtain the same detection results as those provided by the reception unit 300A. To be.

  Further, when the receiving unit 300A described with reference to FIG. 2 and the Y-axis direction user ID detecting unit 500 illustrated in FIG. 8 are provided, when a position pointing operation by a plurality of users is detected in the receiving unit 300A, the Y-axis The direction user ID detection unit 500 may be operated. That is, based on the detection result of the user of the receiving unit 300A and the position identification circuit 33A, when the position detection circuit 33A detects that a plurality of users have performed a position instruction operation, based on the detection result, The control unit 40 operates the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500.

  Thereby, only when a plurality of users perform a position instruction operation, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 can be operated to accurately detect each user's instruction. In other words, if only one user has performed the position instruction operation, it is not necessary to operate the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, and who has indicated the position indicated by each indicator Is clear. Even in such a case, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is not uselessly operated.

  Similarly, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the same applies to a configuration in which the receiving unit 300, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400, and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are provided. I can say that. In this case, based on the detection result of the user ID by the user ID identification filter of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400, the user detection circuit of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 performs a position instruction operation by a plurality of users. When it is detected that the operation has been performed, the control unit 40 operates the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 based on the detection result.

  Thereby, only when a plurality of users perform a position instruction operation, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 can be operated to accurately detect each user's instruction. In other words, when only one user has performed the position indicating operation, it is not necessary to operate the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, and who has specified the position specified by each indicator Is clear. Even in such a case, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is not uselessly operated.

  As described above, the position detection circuit 34A of the reception unit 300A illustrated in FIG. 2 is based on the detection result of the user and the position identification circuit 33A, and whether or not the operation state is a multi-user operation state or a single user operation state. Is generated so that the control unit 40 can be notified of the information. In addition, the user detection circuit of the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 illustrated in FIG. 8 is in a multi-user operation state or a single user operation state based on the detection result of the user ID by the user ID identification filter. Information indicating whether or not there is generated can be notified to the control unit 40. In this way, it is possible to prevent the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 from operating wastefully.

[Embodiment of Signal Generator 2]
As described above, each user who performs an instruction operation on the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 according to this embodiment generates a signal having a different frequency for each user in order to enable multi-user detection. A generator 2 is provided. The signal generator 2 only needs to be able to generate a signal of a predetermined voltage level or higher, and can be realized in various forms.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the signal generator 2. When the user wears the signal generator 2, the signal generator 2 supplies a signal having a different frequency for each user to the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 through the user's body and the indicator. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the signal generator 2 has a configuration of a bracelet 2a attached to the user's arm, a configuration of a necklace 2b attached to the user's neck or a pendant, It can be set as the structure of the ring 2c with which it is mounted | worn. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the signal generator 2 can be configured as a wrist watch 2d worn on the user's arm, or can be configured as glasses 2e worn on the user's face.

  In addition, although not shown, the signal generator 2 can be a business card holder or a notebook-sized box, and can be used by putting it in a pocket of a user's clothes. The signal generator 2 itself is provided on the information processing apparatus side where the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 is provided, and the signal from the signal generator 2 provided on the information processing apparatus side is supplied to the user through a cable or the like. It is also possible to supply the multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus 1 through the user's body and indicator.

[Modifications, etc.]
[Basic configuration]
In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a predetermined signal is supplied to a plurality of first conductors, a signal from the plurality of second conductors is received, and a plurality of signals are received. The indicated position and the indicator identification information are detected to detect which position is indicated by which indicator . In this case, the indicator identification information (user ID) can be detected in the receiving unit 300A including the amplifier circuit 31 and the A / D conversion circuit 32. In addition, signals having different frequencies are supplied to the plurality of first conductors, and signals having frequencies different from those are supplied from the respective indicators, thereby enabling multi-touch and multi-user detection.

[Use of code multiplex method and phase shift method]
However, it is not limited to this. A signal supplied to a plurality of first conductors or a signal supplied from each indicator to the second conductor can be replaced with a signal having a different frequency, and a plurality of codes having different code patterns can be used. . Here, as examples of a plurality of codes having different code patterns, spread codes such as different PN (pseudorandom noise) codes may be used, or a plurality of codes having the same code pattern and different phases may be used. You can also When a plurality of codes having different code patterns are used as described above, multi-touch and multi-user detection can be performed by detecting a correlation value with a code corresponding to the code to be used.

  More specifically, as described above, the application document of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288273, which is an application for a cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection apparatus using a code multiplexing method, or a phase shift method was used. This is disclosed in detail in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-3036), which is a publication of an application regarding a cross-point type electrostatic coupling type indicator detection device. Multi-user detection can be performed in the same manner as multi-touch detection.

  Further, as described above, a signal having a different frequency or a signal having a different code pattern may be supplied to each of the plurality of first conductors, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each of the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors is grouped for each predetermined number of conductors. And about a some 1st conductor, a different signal is used for every group, and the 1st conductor which supplies the said signal is switched sequentially. In addition, for the plurality of second conductors, the conductor that outputs the received signal is switched for each group, and the detection of the received signal is sequentially performed for each conductor.

  Thus, by grouping the first and second conductors and performing processing in units of groups, the types of signals to be supplied to the first conductor can be reduced, and the circuit configuration can be reduced. It will be possible to simplify. In addition, also about the specific method of grouping, the system currently disclosed by the patent document 1, 2 mentioned above and the application document of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-288273 can be used.

[Display device placed on one side of sensor conductor, using EMR method]
Further, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the display device (display device) 3 </ b> A is the same as the one side of the sensor conductor of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1, specifically, the side on which the indicator indicates the position. It can be provided on the side. In this case, since the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 can be provided on the back surface side opposite to the display surface side of the display device 3A, the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 is an EMR (Electromagnetic Resonator). The system can be used.

  Here, as is well known, the EMR detection device is configured by a sensor board and a control board that detect a position indicated by an electronic pen as an indicator. The sensor board has a thin film shape in which a large number of loop coils are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. On the back surface of the sensor board, there is provided a shield plate for shielding noise from other substrates such as a mother board and circuits. In addition, the control board is capable of flowing an alternating current by sequentially switching the loop coils arranged on the sensor board. As a result, a magnetic field is generated from the loop coil, and when the electronic pen as the indicator passes through the magnetic field, energy is stored in the electronic pen by the resonance circuit of the electronic pen.

  Next, the control board stops supplying current to the loop coil, and connects the loop coil to the receiving circuit. Then, the energy stored in the electronic pen is sent back from the pen tip coil to the sensor board by the free vibration of the resonance circuit of the electronic pen. The energy from the electronic pen is received by the sensor board, A / D converted via the receiving circuit, and detected as information. The control board can calculate and specify the coordinate value of the electronic pen on the sensor board with high accuracy by sequentially switching the loop coils on the sensor board and calculating the detection signal.

  When a multi-touch, multi-user detection device is configured using this EMR method, the signal sent back from the electronic pen to the sensor board is made different for each electronic pen, so that not only the indicated position but also each electronic pen. Can also be identified. That is, the multi-touch and multi-user detection device of the present invention can be realized by using an EMR detection method. A basic technique related to an EMR type coordinate input apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-53223.

[Lamination of detection device and display device]
In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the indicator may be opposed to one surface side of the sensor conductor of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 and the display device may be disposed on the other surface side. Simply, a superposition structure in which a display device (display device) 3 is provided on the lower side of the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1 can be adopted.

[Use of electrostatic system and resistive film system]
In this case, as the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1, a so-called electrostatic method such as the above-described cross-point type electrostatic coupling method is used. A touch multi-user detection device can also be realized.

  Here, the touch sensor of the resistive film type simply puts a very small spacer (several μm (micrometer)) on the surface of the glass surface as a base, and attaches a flexible film (about 200 μm) on the surface. Configure. For example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) transparent electrode grids (a plurality of first and second conductors) are provided on the opposing surfaces of the glass and the film.

  In the resistive film type touch sensor configured as described above, when the electrode is not touched by the indicator, no current flows because the opposing electrodes are not in contact with each other by the minute spacer. However, when the film surface is touched with an indicator such as a finger, the film is bent by the pressure, the opposing electrodes come into contact with each other, and a current flows. The contact position of the indicator can be detected by measuring the partial pressure ratio due to the resistance of the transparent electrodes on the glass surface and the film surface.

  In this case, if a different signal (a signal having a different frequency or code pattern) is supplied from the indicator to each indicator, and this is detected corresponding to the electrodes arranged in a grid pattern, the indicator for each indicated position Can also be identified. That is, the multi-touch, multi-user detection device of the present invention can be realized also by using a resistance film type detection method.

[Use of Second Indicator Identification Information Detection Circuit]
In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is provided, and in the period in which the detection process in the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is performed, the first conductor is Explained that no signal is supplied. In this case, the period for supplying the signal to the first conductor and the period for stopping the supply of the signal to the first conductor and executing the detection process in the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are not necessarily equal to each other. It is not necessary to. More than the operation period of the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500, the signal is supplied to the first conductor, and the period during which the reception unit 300A, the reception unit 300, and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 are operated is increased. Or vice versa.

  The period during which the signal is supplied to the first conductor may be a period in which the processing in the receiving unit 300A or the receiving unit 300A and the X-axis direction user ID detecting unit 400 can be appropriately executed. The period during which no signal is supplied to the first conductor may be a period during which the processing in the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 can be appropriately executed.

[Use of first and second indicator identification information detection circuits]
Further, as described above, the receiving unit 300A and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are always used together, or the receiving unit 300, the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400, and the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 are used. It is also possible to always use them together. In addition, when the receiving unit 300A or the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 detects that a plurality of users are performing an instruction operation using an indicator, the Y-axis direction user ID detection unit 500 is caused to function. It can also be.

[Identification of the indicated position by shape and color]
In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to distinguish the pointing positions from each other by shape and color for each pointer. In this case, the shape may be a square or a circle, a star shape, a polygon more than a triangle, and the like, and the colors may be various colors that can be expressed by the display devices 3 and 3A.

[Identification by area border and background color]
It is also possible to indicate the area operated by the indicator by changing the frame line or the background color. In this case, various line types and background colors that can be displayed on the displays 3 and 3A can be used.

[Move areas, copy information, move, etc.]
In addition to moving the display area itself set by the user to an appropriate position on the display screens of the display devices 3 and 3A, copying the information displayed in the display area to other display areas, moving the display area, etc. It is also possible to perform various editing operations such as addition and deletion. The processing is realized by the display control devices (personal computers) 4 and 4A based on user operation input to the multi-touch / multi-user detection device 1.

[Detection output of multi-user or single user]
Further, as described above, the reception unit 300 and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 can detect a user who uses each indicator. For this reason, the receiving unit 300 and the X-axis direction user ID detection unit 400 perform the operation input using the indicator, so that either the single user or the plurality of users are output, or the indicator is used. It is possible to output the number of users performing operation input.

[Other configuration examples of the first and second conductors]
In addition, although the case where the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X that are formed in a straight line are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other has been described as an example, the shapes of the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X are appropriately determined according to the embodiment. Is set. Further, the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X may have an angle other than orthogonal, for example, the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X may be obliquely intersected.

  Further, in terms of electrical characteristics, the width of the reception conductor 12X is preferably narrower than the width of the transmission conductor 11Y. This is because the noise mixed in the receiving conductor 12X can be reduced by reducing the stray capacitance.

  Further, at least one of the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X may be configured by a conductor formed in a curved shape or a concentric shape. For example, a plurality of transmission conductors 11Y are formed in circular shapes having different diameters, and are arranged concentrically, and a plurality of reception conductors 12X are formed by a plurality of linear conductors extending radially from the center of the concentric circles. The plurality of linear conductors may be arranged at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction.

  That is, the configurations of the transmission conductor 11Y and the reception conductor 12X can be various as disclosed in, for example, FIGS. 15 to 20 of JP2011-3035A.

[Others]
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the signal generator 2 is provided for each user. In this case, even when one user uses his / her multiple fingers as an indicator and touches the sensor unit 100 at the same time, the indicated position indicated by different fingers of the same user is indicated by the same user. The detected position can be detected.

  Also, for example, when an oscillation circuit is provided for each indicator such as a touch pen, when the same user inputs an instruction using different indicators, the indication position is detected for each indicator separately. be able to. That is, when one user inputs an instruction using a different indicator (touch pen), the indicated position can be specified for each indicator, not for each user.

1 ... Multi-touch and multi-user detection device, 100 ... sensor unit, 100S ... pointing input surface, 11 ... transmission conductor _array, 11Y 1 _{~11Y 64 ...} transmission conductors, 12 ... reception conductor array, _12X 1 ~ 12X _{64 ...} reception conductors , 200... Transmission unit, 21... Transmission signal supply circuit, 22... Clock generation circuit, 300... Reception unit, 31... Amplification circuit, 32 .. A / D conversion circuit, 33 A. Filter, 332... Pointed position identification filter, 34 A. Position detection circuit, 40... Control circuit, 2, 2 A, 2 B... Signal generator, 3, 3 A ... Display device (display device) 4, 4 A. ... Receiving unit, 400 ... X-axis direction user ID detection unit, 500 ... Y-axis direction user ID detection unit

Claims (17)

A plurality of first conductors arranged in a first direction and a sensor conductor composed of a plurality of second conductors arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A signal transmission circuit for simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to two or more of the plurality of first conductors arranged in the first direction;
A signal receiving circuit for receiving signals from the plurality of second conductors arranged in the second direction;
A position detection circuit that detects positions of a plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor based on a signal output from the signal receiving circuit;
Based on a signal from the sensor conductor, a first indicator identifying information that is distinguishable from signals supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the plurality of first conductors arranged in the first direction is detected. An indicator identification information detection circuit;
Based on the position information of the indicator detected by the position detection circuit and the indicator identification information detected by the first indicator identification information detection circuit, the positions indicated by the plurality of indicators are A correspondence specifying circuit for specifying the correspondence of which indicator is an instruction;
By providing
A multi-touch / multi-user detection apparatus characterized in that a correspondence relationship between each position of the plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor and the plurality of indicators can be specified.   The first indicator identification information detection circuit detects information for identifying each indicator indicating the position with respect to the sensor conductor based on a signal output from the signal receiving circuit. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1.   A plurality of signals having different frequencies are generated by the signal transmission circuit and supplied to the plurality of first conductors, and the first indicator identification information detection circuit has a frequency generated by the signal transmission circuit. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators can be distinguished from each other by detecting signals having different frequencies.   A predetermined code is generated by the signal transmission circuit and supplied to the plurality of first conductors, and the first indicator identification information detection circuit is a code pattern generated by the signal transmission circuit. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators can be distinguished from each other by detecting different codes.   The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of codes having different code patterns are generated by the signal transmission circuit and supplied to the plurality of first conductors.   5. The multi-touch multi-user detection according to claim 4, wherein codes having the same code pattern and different phase relationships are supplied to the plurality of first conductors by the signal transmission circuit. 6. apparatus.   The multi-touch / multi-user detection according to claim 1, wherein a display device capable of displaying a position indicated by the indicator is disposed on one surface side of the sensor conductor facing the indicator. apparatus.   2. The display device capable of displaying a position indicated by the indicator on the other surface side of the sensor conductor and the indicator facing the one surface side of the sensor conductor. A multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to 1.   A second indicator identification information detection circuit connected to the plurality of first conductors arranged in the first direction; and a plurality of first indicators arranged in the first direction by the signal transmission circuit. Information for identifying each indicator for indicating a position with respect to the sensor conductor by the second indicator identification information detection circuit in the predetermined period while stopping the signal supply to the conductor for a predetermined period. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-touch / multi-user detection device is detected. Based on the indicator identification information detected by the first indicator identification information detection circuit and the indicator identification information detected by the second indicator identification information detection circuit, the plurality of indicators are mutually identified. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 9 , wherein:   The sensor conductor and the display device capable of displaying the position indicated by the indicator have an arrangement relationship in which they are superimposed on each other, and the indicator identification detected by the first indicator identification information detection circuit The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1, wherein each position indicated by the plurality of indicators is displayed so as to be identifiable at least for each indicator based on the information. 12. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 11 , wherein a plurality of positions indicated by the plurality of indicators are displayed so as to be distinguishable from each other by shape or color at least for each indicator. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 11 , wherein the display device can display a region where an instruction operation is performed by each indicator. On the display device, an area where an instruction operation by each indicator is performed is displayed movably, and a plurality of areas are superimposed on one of the areas on the screen of the display device. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 11 , wherein the displayed object can be moved to the other area.   Based on the indicator identification information output from the first indicator identification information detection circuit, information indicating whether the operation state is a multi-user operation state or a single user operation state is generated. The multi-touch / multi-user detection device according to claim 1. A signal transmission circuit that simultaneously supplies a predetermined signal to two or more conductors of a plurality of sensor conductors arranged in a predetermined direction, and the sensor conductor based on a signal received from the sensor conductor Multi-touch for identifying the position of each of the plurality of pointers and the correspondence of which pointer is the direction by detecting indicator identification information that can be distinguished from the predetermined signal supplied An indicator used in a multi-user detection device,
Comprising signal generating means for sending the indicator identification information identifiable from the signal supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the sensor conductor;
An indicator characterized by that. A multi-touch multi-user detection system comprising a plurality of indicators and a detection device,
Each of the plurality of indicators has a signal generator for transmitting unique indicator identification information,
The detection device includes:
A plurality of first conductors arranged in a first direction and a sensor conductor composed of a plurality of second conductors arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A signal transmission circuit for simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to two or more of the sensor conductors;
A signal receiving circuit for receiving a signal from the sensor conductor;
A position detection circuit that detects positions of a plurality of indicators with respect to the sensor conductor based on a signal output from the signal receiving circuit;
An indicator identification information detection circuit for detecting indicator identification information identifiable from a signal supplied from the signal transmission circuit to the sensor conductor based on a signal from the sensor conductor;
Based on the position information of the indicator detected by the position detection circuit and the indicator identification information detected by the indicator identification information detection circuit, the position indicated by the plurality of indicators is any indication. A correspondence identifying circuit for identifying the correspondence of whether it is an instruction by the body;
By providing the position of each of the plurality of indicators relative to the sensor conductor, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of indicators can be specified,
A multi-touch multi-user detection system.

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